Church of Scotland highlights sustainable food and agriculture

Church of Scotland highlights sustainable food and agriculture

By ENInews

February 10, 2011

Ways and means of improving food production in Britain and internationally are being discussed in Edinburgh today at a Church of Scotland conference.

Ways and means of improving food production in Britain and overseas against the background of high fuel prices and a growing demand for all land-based commodities will be discussed in Edinburgh today (10 February 2011) at a one-day conference organised by the Church of Scotland - writes Trevor Grundy.

"This is the first conference on food sustainability that the Church of Scotland has organised," the Rev Ian Galloway, Convener of the Church and Society Council, told ENInews.

"It will be attended by members of various church congregations, farmers, men and women involved in marketing, and it will be addressed by various speakers from Scotland’s farming community.

"Delegates will discuss the questions and facts behind sustainable agriculture at home and overseas and highlight what members of Christian congregations can do to contribute to this sustainability," he said.

Food and agriculture is a subject of ongoing interest and importance in Scotland and globally. Conference organisers note that some Scottish farmers are facing real difficulties while huge subsidies are paid to others. In addition, they say, Scottish towns are witnessing the death of small shops and food outlets because of the spread of giant supermarkets throughout the UK.

These issues persuaded the Church and Society Council to investigate the meaning of 'sustainable agriculture' in more detail. "The investigation is focused on Scotland but must take into account development elsewhere. In particular, the council is interested to explore the question, 'What can congregations do?'" Galloway said.

Galloway explained that one aim of the conference, to be held at the Church of Scotland's head office, would be to develop a report with recommendations to the church's General Assembly 2012.

[With acknowledgements to ENInews. ENInews[1], formerly Ecumenical News International, is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the Conference of European Churches.]

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